Nunavut’s 5th territorial election attracts 72 candidates

Premier Peter Taptuna will not seek re-election

By NUNATSIAQ NEWS

A few of the star candidates running in the Oct. 30 Nunavut election: from left, former Iqaluit mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik in Iqaluit-Sinaa; former Clyde River mayor and environmental activist Jerry Natanine and former NTI president Cathy Towtongie. (FILE PHOTOS)

(Updated at 7:30 p.m., Sept. 29)

The race is on in Nunavut.

Elections Nunavut, as of about 7:10 p.m. Sept. 29, announced that it has accepted a final list of 72 people as candidates for the Nunavut legislature’s 22 ridings.

But Nunavut Premier Peter Taptuna won’t be one of the candidates. The outgoing premier announced he won’t seek re-election in his home riding of Kugluktuk this year, after nine years of service as an MLA.

“Not seeking re-election has been a difficult family decision,” Taptuna said in a Sept. 29 statement, in which he thanked Nunavummiut for their support.

“I wish to extend best wishes to the incoming government, as they learn from previous experiences and shape our future.”

Mila Adjukak Kamingoak is the only declared candidate in Kugluktuk, which means she wins the seat by acclamation. She’s the only candidate to be acclaimed in this election.

In the territorial capital, all four Iqaluit ridings will see contests. Health Minister George Hickes is registered to run again next month against one other candidate: Jacopoosie Peter.

In Iqaluit-Sinaa, former premier Paul Okalik is running against former Iqaluit mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik, local business person Adamee Itorcheak and legislative assembly staffer Cindy Rennie.

In neighbouring Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, incumbent MLA Pat Angnakak will run against 2013 candidate and Iqaluit lawyer Anne Crawford as well as political newcomer Franco Buscemi.

And in Iqaluit-Manirajak, incumbent Monica Ell-Kanayuk, who served as deputy premier and minister of Economic Development and Transportation, is up against GN fiscal advisor Adam Arreak Lightstone, Inuit Circumpolar Conference chair Okalik Eegeesiak and dental therapist Jude Lewis.

Some cabinet ministers and incumbent MLAs have their work cut out for them in constituencies where four or more candidates are declared.

Education Minister Paul Quassa will run against three other candidates in Aggu. Speaker George Qulaut is in a seven-way race to reclaim Amittuq, while Quttiktuq racked up nine registered candidates, including incumbent MLA Isaac Shooyook.

One of the candidates in Quttiktuq, David Akeeagok, is a former top senior manager at the Government of Nunavut, where until 2016 he served as deputy minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.

Some of the election’s most heated battles could take place in Rankin Inlet. In Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet, incumbent MLA Tom Sammurtok is up against three other candidates, including former Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. President Cathy Towtongie.

And in Rankin Inlet South, voters will get a re-run of the 2013 race between candidates Alex Sammurtok and Lorne Kusugak. The two candidates finished in a dead heat in the last election, with Sammurtok winning later in a by-election.

Some former Nunavut MLAs and cabinet ministers from past legislative assemblies will also contest seats, including Peter Kattuk, a former minister of the old Department of Public Works, who is running against Alan Rumbolt, the incumbent in Hudson Bay, and Patterk Netser, a former economic development minister, who is running against Jack Anawak, a former justice minister and Nunatsiaq MP, in Aivilik.

After dissolution of the legislature Sept. 24, members of the fourth legislative assembly are no longer MLAs. But the speaker, premier and all cabinet ministers will keep those titles and positions until MLAs choose a new speaker, premier and cabinet following the election, probably in mid-November.

At least two candidates in this election will enter the race facing charges under the Criminal Code and are to appear in court between now and election day.

Nunavummiut had until 2 p.m. local time to submit their candidacies, and until 5 p.m. to withdraw them. Check back with Nunatsiaqonline.ca for an updated list of candidates.

Here are some of the key rules candidates face in the lead-up to the Oct. 30 vote:

• persons living outside Nunavut and corporations not located in Nunavut may not campaign for or against a candidate or make donations;

• the above rule makes an exception for general statements on public policy, “merely declaring support for a candidate” or displaying campaign material “if done in good faith and not for any purpose related to the manipulation or oppression of a voter;”

• starting this year, candidates may now broadcast campaign material the day before, and the day of, the election, which includes posting to social media;

• candidates must not say things about other candidates that involve lies, slander, libel and “insults;” and,

• an Election Act amendment provides that allegations of Election Act breaches be taken to the RCMP.

Key dates:

• Oct. 16: the first day you can vote in advance at the returning officer’s office, from 12 noon to 7 p.m. local time;

• Oct. 23: mobile poll in each community from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. local time, advance vote from 12 noon to 7 p.m.;

• Oct. 25: first day voters can get a proxy certificate from Elections Nunavut, must meet strict criteria;

• Oct. 26: the last time you can vote in advance at the returning officer’s office, from 12 noon to 7 p.m. local time;

• Oct. 30: election day:. 3 p.m. deadline to get a proxy certificate (local time;) 5 p.m. central time deadline for Special Ballots to be received at Elections Nunavut headquarters;

• On election day Oct. 30, polling places will use staggered hours, depending on the time zone, so that all polls open and close simultaneously across the territory: mountain time: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., central time: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., eastern time: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and,